5 Fun Things to Do at the Gatlinburg Space Needle

No trip to Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains is complete without a visit to the Gatlinburg Space Needle! Standing at 407 feet tall, this striking observation tower is the most distinctive feature of the Gatlinburg skyline. In addition to providing breathtaking views, the Gatlinburg Space Needle is also home to a number of awesome attractions that your whole family is sure to love. To help you make the most of your next vacation, the Bearskin Lodge has put together a guide to all of the wonderful things to do at the Gatlinburg Space Needle.

1. Take in the Views

The Space Needle offers unparalleled vistas of downtown Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains! To reach the top of the tower, guests take one of the Space Needle’s comfortable glass elevators to the peak. Once you reach the observation deck, you can enjoy the panoramic views with your naked eye or get a closer look with one the deck’s free viewfinders. The Space Needle also features a special Higher Learning exhibit where visitors will find lots of interesting information about Gatlinburg.

2. Play at Arcadia

Situated at the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, Arcadia is a great place to spend an afternoon, especially on a rainy day! This 25,000 square foot arcade is home to over 100 of the latest games. Some of the most popular games at Arcadia include the Wizard of Oz, Mario Kart, Pac Man, skee ball, pinball, and claw machines. When you’ve finished playing, be sure to head over to the arcade’s fantastic redemption center to cash in your points for some excellent prizes.

3. See a Show

The Iris Theater is another one of the most-buzzed-about attractions at the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This spectacular theater is known for its great magic acts, which typically take up multi-year residencies in Gatlinburg. The theater is currently hosting the Impossibilities show with Chris Collins and Erik Dobell, who have performed together on America’s Got Talent and other TV programs. Billed as “magic, mindreading, and mayhem,” this unique show delivers heaping portions of all three!

4. Grab a Slice 

If you work up an appetite during your visit to the Gatlinburg Space Needle, we recommend swinging by the Slice Pizza Bakery. Specializing in authentic New York-style pizza, this superb restaurant offers both entire pies and individual slices. Adventurous eaters can try one of the restaurant’s unique specialty pizzas, such as the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza or Pulled Pork Pizza.

5. Experience “The Captured”

The Captured is a live escape experience at the Gatlinburg Space Needle unlike anything you’ve ever tried before. In this role-playing adventure, your group is captured by the Craft family, a group of cannibals that abduct and eat unsuspecting tourists in the Smoky Mountains. You’ll have to work with your friends or family members to solve a series of puzzles and challenges in order to escape before the Crafts decide that it’s dinner time.

Located right on River Road, the Bearskin Lodge is just an 8-minute walk from the Gatlinburg Space Needle. Offering garage parking, private balconies with stunning views, an outdoor swimming pool, a lazy river, and the comfiest beds in town, our hotel has everything you need for an incredible escape. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of Gatlinburg hotel rooms!